According to the Financial Times, Iran has sent a letter to member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) stating that "non-hostile vessels" can pass through the Strait of Hormuz "in coordination with Iranian authorities." In the letter, distributed to IMO members on Tuesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Iran has "taken necessary and proportionate measures to prevent aggressors and their supporters from using the Strait of Hormuz to advance hostile actions against Iran." Currently, approximately 3,200 ships are stranded in the Persian Gulf, and at least 22 ships have been attacked by Iran since the conflict began. The IMO held an emergency meeting of member states last week and is negotiating to establish a humanitarian corridor to allow ships facing severe supply shortages to leave the Persian Gulf. Recent ship tracking data indicates that Iran is allowing a small number of vessels to pass through a route within its territorial waters. Analysts believe this route allows Iranian authorities to verify the identities of ships before allowing them passage.